Saint-Etienne still suspended after a draw against Auxerre

The result gives both teams their chance to play next season in Ligue 1. Auxerre and Saint-Etienne separated in a draw (1-1) on Thursday May 26 at the Abbé-Deschamps stadium in the first leg L1/L2 dams.

Certainly, the goal scored away by the Greens gives them an option for maintenance, but it is really minimal. Especially since the Auxerrois, who finished the match well unlike ASSE, in great physical difficulty, have been effective outside this season.

They will also be able to rely on their good end to the match to start the return on Sunday at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, at 7 p.m.

Zaydou Youssouf gave the Greens the advantage in the first half with a shot from the left beyond the reach of goalkeeper Donovan Léon, after a service from Adil Aouchiche at the conclusion of a block (15^and). Auxerre, at the cost of a vigorous reaction at the end of the game, equalized in the 87^and minute by Gaëtan Perrin with a shot from the left after an opening by Birama Touré.

Without being brilliant, the Stéphanois seemed to manage the match well before giving in when they had the opportunity to make the break. At the end of the season, they remain on seven games without a win including four defeats.

Auxerre burst in the last quarter of an hour

For their part, the Auxerrois, 3^and Ligue 2, have a record of six wins and four draws, including against Sochaux (0-0), whom they eliminated on penalties (5-4) in the play-off on May 20, and the one against Saint-Etienne.

During the match, however, ASSE showed greater maturity for a long time against a timorous opponent who only let go in the last half hour, after Lassine Sinayoko was replaced by Perrin (62^and), which was a catalyst.

From the start, the Greens were dangerous and Léon had to intervene in extremis in front of Arnaud Nordin on receiving a cross delivered from the left wing by Denis Bouanga (2^and). The latter again pushed the Auxerre goalkeeper to the parade to divert the attempt of the Gabonese before the recovery of Enzo Crivelli was released by Nordin (40^and). Théo Pellenard also saved his team ahead of Wahbi Khazri (78^and).

For their part, the Icaunais have long lacked percussion. They did not know how to play fair, neither in midfield nor in the finishing area, and above all not fast enough to destabilize their opponent before the last quarter of an hour during which they finally ignited the match against to Foréziens who have retreated.

Previously, they were only threatening by Mathias Autret on a free kick and a shot, diverted by Paul Bernardoni (24^and27^and), and in the second half on an attempt passing just wide (56^and). A recovery from Gauthier Hein just failed (45^and) like Gaëtan Charbonnier who narrowly missed the target with a header (90^and+5).

The Saint-Etienne team, penultimate defense in Ligue 1 with 77 goals conceded, finally conceded one more. And it could weigh heavily on Sunday in the return match, because nothing is done.